Throughout the Berner Fasnacht a variety of troupes with painted faces and colourful costumes parade through the UNESCO-listed old city. Many of the troupes, each with a troupe leader and players touting brass and drums, play well known pop tunes from years gone by - all in a unique Fasnacht style. All troupes are guaranteed to be dress in colourful costumes and painted faces - and the town is quite, quite alive.
My personal advise on what to do and see in Rome
Mt Egmont seen from the King Edward Park playing fields in Stratford
The Stratford Glockenspeil in Taranaki
The Antelope - your local, dog friendly, beer friendly pub
Must see ancient monuments around Rome
Historical information about the gothic Antwerp Cathedral
What to see, where to stay and eat in historic Antwerp
Recommended hotels in Vienna, Salzburg and Bregenz
European tourism and rail organisations - a quick reference - A reference guide to European tourism and rail organisations
Lucerne - 7 things not to miss - What not to miss in Lucerne
Zürich - a brief history of Grossmünster - A brief history of the distinctive twin-spired Grossmünster in Zürich
Europe - Travel information from around Europe
Switzerland - places not to miss - Sixteen places not to miss around Switzerland
Rapperswil - What a visitor to Rapperswil needs to know
Switzerland - sacred destinations - Nine of the finest churchs, cathedrals and monastries in Switzerland
Why chase solar eclipses? - Why I chase total solar eclipse all over the world
2012 Solar Eclipse totality seen from offshore of Port Douglas - Video of totality during the 2012 eclipse seen from Port Douglas in Queensland
Berne Münster (Cathedral) - a brief history - A brief history of the Cathedral in the UNESCO-protected old town of Berne
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook